Tourism Ministry clears 117 projects worth Rs 5,756.62 crore to boost travel infrastructure

NEW DELHI: India is laying fresh tracks for tourism growth, with the Centre sanctioning 117 tourism infrastructure projects worth Rs 5,756.62 crore over the past two financial years to improve destinations, visitor amenities and connectivity across the country.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Ministry of Tourism said the projects have been approved under multiple flagship schemes, including Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the Challenge Based Destination Development scheme, PRASHAD, Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA), the DA-JUGA tribal homestay programme and the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).

Of the total allocation, the largest share of Rs 3,295.76 crore has been sanctioned under the SASCI scheme for iconic tourism projects. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 accounts for Rs 1,565.62 crore across 24 projects, followed by Rs 687.99 crore under the Challenge Based Destination Development scheme. PRASHAD has received Rs 172.27 crore, ACA projects Rs 17.46 crore and DA-JUGA tribal homestays Rs 17.52 crore.

Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Bengaluru, Mumbai and several emerging destinations will see new tourism infrastructure. Major projects include the Rs 165.44 crore Buddhist Meditation and Experience Centre at Bodh Gaya, the Rs 147.13 crore Daman Convention Centre, the Rs 146 crore Bhoramdeo Corridor in Chhattisgarh, the Rs 97.52 crore Suryalanka Beach Experience in Andhra Pradesh and the Rs 93.18 crore Alappuzha Global Water Wonderland in Kerala.

The ministry has also backed projects at Shivshrusthi Theme Park in Pune, Bangaram Eco Retreat in Lakshadweep, the Khatu Shyam temple in Rajasthan, the Attari Border Tourism Experience in Punjab and heritage and eco-tourism projects across Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Himachal Pradesh.

The Challenge Based Destination Development scheme has approved projects worth nearly Rs 688 crore across culture, heritage, spiritual tourism, eco-tourism and Vibrant Village destinations. These include heritage development at Bidar and Mandu, spiritual tourism projects in Ahobilam, Rameswaram, Orchha and Anandpur Sahib, eco-tourism at Doyang Reservoir, Panidhing Bird Sanctuary and Bichom Dam, and cultural infrastructure in White Town, Puducherry and Varkala.

The PRASHAD scheme has sanctioned projects covering temple towns and pilgrimage centres, including Annavaram in Andhra Pradesh, Bom Jesus Basilica in Goa, eight Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu, Renuka Yallama Devi temple in Karnataka and Ambika Bhawani temple in Bihar.

Under the SASCI programme, the Centre has approved several large-scale tourism projects, including the INS Guldar Underwater Museum in Maharashtra, Chitrotpala Film City in Chhattisgarh, the Ram-Kal Path project in Nashik, the International Convention Centre in Bhopal, the Tented City at Dhordo in Gujarat, the Skywalk at Bhaleydhunga in Sikkim, heritage projects in Jaipur and Mahabalipuram, eco-tourism developments in Kerala and Odisha, and rafting infrastructure in Rishikesh.

The ministry is also expanding tribal tourism through DA-JUGA, with new homestay clusters sanctioned in Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Uttarakhand.

Alongside physical infrastructure, the ministry said it continues to strengthen digital tourism through the revamped Incredible India digital platform, launched in September 2024. The portal offers multilingual travel information and booking services for flights, hotels, cabs, buses and ASI monument tickets, supported by digital campaigns, social media outreach and collaborations with travel influencers.

To improve visitor access, the government highlighted that India’s e-Visa facility is now available across nine categories for citizens of 174 countries. Other initiatives include a 24×7 multilingual tourist helpline, the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification programme, nationwide recognition for tourist guides under the IITG system and coordination with the Civil Aviation Ministry to improve connectivity through 53 tourism routes identified under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.

The ministry is also promoting niche segments including spiritual, eco, rural, tribal, wellness, medical, adventure, MICE, wedding and heritage tourism through dedicated national strategies. Initiatives such as the “Meet in India” brand for business events, the “India Says I Do” campaign for destination weddings and the Model Adventure Tourism Safety Framework aim to diversify India’s tourism offerings while supporting sustainable growth.

The details were shared by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, underscoring the government’s focus on expanding tourism infrastructure while improving connectivity, digital services and destination development across states and Union Territories.